A recent thread on the Alamy forum asked contributors to offer advice to an imagined new contributor.
Now, to make things clear – I do not see myself as any sort of ‘success’. Nor as somebody who has by any means ‘all the answers’. Neither do I describe myself as, or consider myself to be, a professional photographer.
When pushed I would describe myself as a geography teacher with a camera – I point the camera and snap away at subjects that interest me or, more precisely since this is stock photography, at subjects that I think might interest a buyer of stock images.
As the graph above shows I have been doing this with Alamy since my first sales in 2002 and am getting within distance of $300k gross from 6,800 sales.
I know full well that there are many other Alamy contributors with better sales figures. But this is not a competition, I am satisfied ( actually proud) of what I have achieved with limited talents, opportunities etc.
One relevant factor here is that I have been non-exclusive since 2012, some loss of Alamy sales is inevitable, the counter balance is that of additional income streams from other agencies in different markets.
For me being a stock photographer is the perfect job. I was an instinctive stock photographer before I knew what stock photography was – I have always enjoyed visiting places and taking pictures. Partly this was because of teaching geography, but very much only partly.
I am posting my forum comment without alteration or elaboration. I would be very happy to join in any discussion or answer questions.
What do you think?
My advice would be to be business-like from the outset.
Get a business bank account, register your business with tax authorities, keep proper accounts, etc
Use professional equipment and software.
Perhaps use a distinct pseudonym or business name so that your image credits will be traceable.
Don’t simply think about the photography you prefer but what the market wants.
Set your own targets for the number of images you are going to try and create and then devise a strategy for meeting these targets ( even if you do fall short you have won).
It is not all about numbers but forcing yourself to produce more is beneficial and there is truth in the adage that in many ways it ‘is a numbers game’.
Use your local area, personal contacts, create your own advantages.
Get a website to act as a shop window, approach appropriate agencies even if at first they turn you down making the contacts helps you learn. Be cautious of some agencies that would take you on too readily ( check the terms and conditions, find out what others say). Alamy is the winner here and the very best place to get started!
Personally I think non-exclusivity and having images in many markets makes most sense.
Avoid micro-stock. Avoid Royalty Free.
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